GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 3 / KINGMAN, ARIZONA BASED
5325 Stockton Hill Rd. Kingman, AZ 86409

Salary: $48,000-$55,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 12/16/2025

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST
“Aquatic Wildlife Specialist 2”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 3 / KINGMAN, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING RANGE $48,000-$55,000


Are you passionate about aquatic ecosystems, fisheries management, and hands-on conservation work? The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a dedicated Aquatic Wildlife Specialist 2 to help steward and enhance the rich aquatic resources of northwestern Arizona.

In this dynamic and rewarding role, you will make an impact through a wide range of professional wildlife management duties focused on sustaining and improving fisheries across the region. You will coordinate regional sport-fish priorities and provide essential support for native fish conservation efforts. From conducting surveys on Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and other regional waters including collaborative work in other regions to implementing on-the-ground habitat projects, your work will directly influence the health and quality of Arizona’s fisheries.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct fisheries surveys and assessments on major regional lakes to evaluate population health, habitat conditions, and management needs.
• Lead and support habitat enhancement projects and fish stocking efforts to strengthen and expand sport-fishing opportunities.
• Promote angling and aquatic stewardship through public talks, educational outreach, and hands-on fishing clinics.
• Assist in native fish surveys and conservation projects vital to protecting Arizona’s unique aquatic heritage.
• Study aquatic wildlife traits, behaviors, and habitat needs—and evaluate how human activities impact these ecosystems.
• Review and assess water and development projects for potential impacts to aquatic species, including endangered fish, and recommend actions or mitigation strategies to protect these resources.
• Participate in interdisciplinary planning teams and help develop habitat management plans that support long-term aquatic wildlife sustainability.

The ideal candidate must be able to work and travel (including overnight travel) irregular hours, including weekends, holidays and must be comfortable working outdoors in extreme isolated conditions and possess the ability to identify wildlife in less than optimal conditions.

In this position, you will directly contribute to ensuring resilient, diverse, and thriving aquatic wildlife populations for future generations. Your work will matter—both to the environment and to the many communities that depend on healthy fisheries for recreation, culture, and quality of life.

If you’re ready to apply your skills, passion, and expertise to meaningful conservation challenges, we invite you to join us!

Major duties will include:

• Responsible for planning, scheduling, coordinating, and implementing sport fish surveys and enhancement projects involving regional waters and their aquatic species per annual work plans

• Development of techniques, procedures, and policies and use of best practices to complete surveys, and restoration and enhancement projects in a safe manner

• Collection, summary, analysis, and reporting of survey and project data and yearly implementation planning and performance reporting

• Presentation of results at professional meetings

• Maintenance of regional aquatic species databases, assists in overseeing and training personnel, and supervising a seasonal intern when needed

• Assist in coordination and planning with other work units and state/federal resource management agencies that can influence the implementation of projects and reviews popular and technical publications to maintain proficiency in specialty field and in other areas of general competence and responsibility

• Reviews documents of proposed actions and funding requests that potentially impact aquatic resources within regional boundaries

• Maintains and repairs all equipment assigned or used to complete fisheries surveys and enhancements

• Responds to requests for program related activities, information, education and outreach activities as assigned by the supervisor

• Purchase of equipment and supplies used by program personnel

• Performs other duties as assigned

The position requires knowledge of: fish and wildlife management, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, aquatic survey techniques, fish, herp, aquatic flora and fauna identification and habitat requirements, water chemistry measuring devices and techniques, operation and maintenance of vehicles, watercraft and fisheries survey equipment, maps, charts and GPS equipment, analyze and interpret field data collected, principles of electrofishing, application of piscicides, and proper fish transportation procedures.

Candidates must be skilled in application of fisheries and aquatic species management techniques, computer data processing, camping and surviving outdoors, traversing challenging terrain, equipment maintenance and repair, operating vehicles, watercraft, UTV’s and aquatic species survey equipment, applied data gathering and standardized sampling techniques, oral and written communication and public relations techniques.

The ideal candidate will be able to develop effective and positive working relationships with the public, tribes, various local, state and federal governmental agencies, special interest groups and the media in a positive manner, provide positive and effective customer service to a variety of internal and external customers, negotiate with agencies, individuals and other entities in support of program areas and the Department’s mission, effectively communicate orally and in writing for wide variety and level of audiences, including agency leadership, train and evaluate seasonal interns.

Two years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management. An advanced degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of required experience.

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

The candidate must have a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries management, fisheries biology, wildlife management or a closely related field and two years of professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management. An advanced degree in fisheries and/or wildlife sciences or closely related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year or required experience.

Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:

* 13 days of vacation
* 12 sick days with accumulation benefits
* 10 paid holidays
* Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System
* Superior health care options
* Vision care, dental care, pharmacy benefits, and flexible spending account (options available)
* Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance options are available
* Many more benefit programs are available

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nicole Baker at nbaker@azgfd.gov for assistance.